Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI)

The Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) provides naming
and directory functionality to applications written in the Java
programming language. It is designed to be independent of any
specific naming or directory service implementation. Thus a variety
of services--new, emerging, and already deployed ones--can be
accessed in a common way.

The JNDI architecture consists of an API (Application
Programming Interface) and an SPI (Service Provider Interface).
Java applications use this API to access a variety of naming and
directory services. The SPI enables a variety of naming and
directory services to be plugged in transparently, allowing the
Java application using the API of the JNDI technology to access
their services.

API Enhancements

More Information

JNDI Service Providers:
To use JNDI with a particular naming or directory service, you need
a JNDI service provider, which is a module that plugs in
beneath the JNDI API to access the naming or directory service.
The Java SE release includes the following service providers: